A breakaway is when someone or something separates from a group, team, or situation. It can also mean a sudden and exciting change.
You've probably heard of athletes doing a breakaway on the field - they separate themselves from their teammates to make a winning move. But the word "breakaway" is used in many other situations too. For example, when someone leaves an unhappy relationship or quits a job they hate, we might say they had a breakaway moment. It's like they broke free from something that was holding them back and took control of their life again. In some cases, breakaway can also refer to a new fashion trend or style that suddenly becomes popular - people start doing things their own way, without following the usual rules.
How common is "breakaway"?
Word breakaway is considered rare in modern English. It appears most frequently in newspaper texts and less often in other writings.
Definitions
adjective
Having broken away from a larger unit.
Example: The breakaway republic is slowly establishing order and civil society.
Capable of breaking off without damaging the larger structure.
Example: a breakaway wall
(ice hockey) Occurring during or as a result of a breakaway (see Noun)
Example: 2016, Scott Feschuk, "Counting down the most annoying in video review, by sport," sportsnet.ca, 10 July, 2016, http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/counting-annoying-video-review-sport/
In a league starved for scoring, the challenge ensures that some super-sweet breakaway goals will be overturned because a dude was three microns offside.
(entertainment industry) Enjoying rapid popular success.
Example: 2016, Chris Riotta, "Rihanna's 'Anti' Has Extensive Alternative Music Career," mic.com, 11 February, 2016, https://mic.com/articles/134964/who-is-sza-artist-featured-on-rihanna-s-anti-has-extensive-alternative-music-career#.7Jn5cfh5u
When Rihanna released her rebellious breakaway album Anti, it marked a definitive turning point in the singer's career.